Cataract Surgery recovery — week by week
What healing actually looks like — week by week — for cataract surgery.
Recovery timeline
- Days 1–3 — peak swelling and bruising.
- Week 1 — sutures or splints removed.
- Weeks 2–4 — visible swelling subsides ~70%.
- Months 2–6 — refinements settle.
- Months 6–18 — final result locks in.
What's normal vs. what to call about
Some swelling, bruising, asymmetry, numbness, and tightness are expected in the first weeks. Sudden severe pain, fever above 101°F, drainage, spreading redness, or one-sided swelling that worsens after improving warrant a same-day call to your surgeon.
See cataract surgery results across the recovery curve on the main Cataract Surgery page.